rktaylor

I use fairly stiff veg tan lined with latigo. It shouldn't need reinforcement at the holes. Randy

I agree with Bruce. I don't think Terry is a member here, but he shouldn't be hard to find. Randy

With so many great saddle making resources available, I would caution against trying to learn much from tearing one apart. Actually, this caution is mentioned in the Stohlman books. I have had the chance to work a few production saddles that left me scratching my head over their methods. Randy

Dwight, I'm a little late to the game, but this is my pattern. The holes match the strings on saddles I build. That curve should fit a lot of saddles. You can leave the front ear off if you want. I use it to attach the bags. The saddle bags in the photo are really heavy leather. They were my first attempt. Best, Randy

Do you have a photo?

I have not used Tokonole, but the comments on Weaver's web page are positive. I will order some. Weaver only has brown at this time. I just received some tragacanth and Edge Kote that I need to test. Thanks for the tip, Randy

Here's an option: http://www.pikespeaksaddlery.com/id293.htm Randy

Those look good. Nice job. Randy

There's a lot to like about that. Can't wait to see the final product. Randy

I wanted to resurface this question. I looked at the Giardini paint and am considering an order. However, I wonder if anyone considers Fiebing's Edge Kote as a similar product? Thanks, Randy

I really like the basket weave in the scroll heart. Nice touch. Thanks for sharing the progress. Randy

I hand stitched my first five saddles before I bought a sewing machine. There's no real trick to it. It just takes a lot of time. I learned to wrap my pinky fingers in athletic tape because you are pulling a lot of stitches. Make sure your stitching pony has deep enough jaws to handle the skirts. Good luck. Randy

I'll start with saying, I have only made one set. My comments are based on what I learned in that process. I think cotton balls wild work. High density foam rubber is another choice. I have boxes of scrap woolskin so it was an easy choice. You want them to be fairly stiff with a little give. Good luck. Randy

I seldom get a light that green. Randy

Thanks, Randy

Ron, I already have two of those. I need to work on the selling part. Double L is the rebirth of Quality Mfg. It was a really nice tree and they were easy to work with. I made one tap with less than ideal leather just to practice. The lower string runs underneath the stirrup and above the stirrup tread. These are on 4" stirrups, so there isn't much room. Thanks for commenting. Randy

Sorry. I missed this question. The snarky answer is too many and too long. It took 3 sides for the saddle, tapaderos, and a scabbard. I probably have about 80 hours in the entire project but I'm not very efficient and some of that time was learning to make tapaderos. Randy Thanks. I appreciate the compliment. Randy

That looks great. I have used that same craftaid but it didn't look that good. Your detail on the head is impressive. Randy

Ron, Nice looking saddle. What stamp did you use? I couldn't find a vintage Hamley rose when I wanted one, so bought the JW flower stamp. Randy

Thanks Ron.

Thickness depends on material. I use kangaroo from Y-Knot. It's pretty thin. If I'm using latigo, I cut the lace from the back portion of the side. I'll split it down to about 3 oz. It has to be high quality to be that thin and maintain strength. Randy

I use kangaroo or latigo. I prefer kangaroo. I have used the lacing pattern from Harry Adam's book. I have not used a double diamond, but I'm sure you could. Randy

The saddle before this was for me. Maybe I'll buy a gun and make a holster for it. Or make a purse for my wife. Randy

Thanks for the compliments. I don't need another saddle, but I would sure like to keep this one. Randy

I just finished this saddle. Double L tree, Will James. Chestnut HO leather. The tapaderos (my first set) are from Bob Klenda's pattern in Leather Crafter's Journal. Randy